It is common knowledge that physical exercise helps perfect the body and mind. People may engage in various sports activities although there is one that is unrivaled among others as it may be practiced by both young and old and irrespective of one’s physic. Practiced in Chinese monasteries for centuries, Tai Chi is now becoming increasingly popular in western communities and is practiced widely in Europe, Australia, and the US. People who engage in Tai Chi practices on a regular basis note improved health and quality of life. Tai Chi’s fundamental leverage over other forms of exercise is that it may be safely used for patients in wheelchairs and those recovering from a recent operation.
Multiple western medical associations are now studying the influence of Tai Chi and link its benefits with patients’ overall condition. Despite numerous compelling cases, the true benefits of Tai Chi remain understudied. Tai Chi’s use is currently limited as it is not yet regarded as effective health promotion practice by medical institutions (Sun & Buys, 2012, p.128). The benefits of Tai Chi transcend far beyond enhancing fitness levels. Older adults and chronic disease patients noted relaxation, better mood, improved sleep, and involvement in social life. Tai Chi also contributed to higher self-esteem and confidence among chronic disease patients (Sun & Buys, 2012, p. 128).
The health benefits of Tai Chi remain intangible if they are not studied and backed up with research data. In order to establish and enhance credibility for Tai Chi and promote it widely, the study data needs to be disseminated along with public awareness increased.
One of the study groups to illustrate the health benefits of Tai Chi was formed in Australia, Queensland. The central objective of the study was to measure the health benefits of the people regularly practicing Tai Chi. 99 participants were chosen from 8 Tai Chi classes and were asked to fill out a questionnaire focusing on health issues. Overall condition of participants involved in Tai Chi practices was higher than that of other Australians not engaged in physical activities (Sun & Buys, 2012, p. 134). Aside from better physical condition, participants demonstrated increased brain functioning, enhanced memory, stress reduction, and improvement of general emotional well-being (Sun & Buys, 2012, p.135).
Another major study undertaken by the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry in order to shed light on the benefits of Tai Chie was conducted in the US. The main goal of the study was to show how Tai Chi may abet in augmenting geriatric depression.
The study specifically focused on elders aged 60 or older. Out of 332 volunteers who expressed interest in participating in the study, 112 were selected who met the criteria and suffered from Major Depressive Disorders (Lavretsky, Alstein, Olmstead, Ercoli, Riparetti-Brown, Cyr, & Irwin, 2011, p. 841). The study group was treated for depression with the use of escitalopram. A weekly two-hour tai-chi practice was added to their routine as well as a two-hour weekly health education lecture. After a 10 week study, subjects who engaged in weekly Tai Chi sessions and health lectures demonstrated better results and achieved remission as compared to those who received only escitalopram and health lectures (Lavretsky et al., 2011, p. 843).
Aside from depression remission, participants of the study group involved in Tai Chi sessions also demonstrated far better results in a number of cognitive tests (Lavretsky et al., 2011, p. 846).
The study presents solid evidence that many psychiatric diseases do not necessarily need to be treated by medications alone. It might be simple for doctors to prescribe a certain pill to a patient, although health practices such as Tai Chi may help eradicate the very cause and the origin of the disease, rather than temporarily relieve symptoms.
A study in China revealed that Tai Chi practice enhances cognitive and physical abilities among the elders (Jiao, Katsuko, Junko, Syuichi, Huali, & Li, 2014, p. 139). Two groups of people over 60 participated in the study during a 6-month period. Before the commencement of the study, the groups were given a number of mental and physical tests, and the results were more or less similar. Then, as the study began, one of the groups added a one-hour Tai-chi training to their routine twice a week, while the second group engaged in other activities such as singing to watching TV.
After half a year, the participants from the two groups underwent a series of physical and mental tests and participants engaged in Tai Chi sessions demonstrated better results. The study also confirmed that Tai Chi may be used to prevent dementia among elderly people (Jiao et al., 2014, 145).
The study results speak for themselves and the health benefits of Tai Chi need to be disseminated and brought to public attention. The studies mentioned above were more or less short-term. There is little doubt that long-term studies would reveal far more beneficial results. There are many other studies that illustrate the health benefits of Tai Chi. In order for Tai Chi to become more popular, it should be promoted on a national level with hospitals and medical institutions incorporating Tai Chi practices as part of the treatment on a voluntary basis. Presently, the health benefits of Tai Chi are only demonstrated in studies. When Tai Chi becomes a part of a complementary treatment process, far more people will be able to benefit from it.
Reference List
Jiao, S., Katsuko, K., Junko, S., Syuichi, O., Huali, X., & Li, W. (2015). Tai chi improves cognitive and physical function in the elederly: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 27(5), 1467-1471. Web.
Lavretsky, H., Alstein, L. L., Olmstead, R. E., Ercoli, L. M., Riparetti-Brown, M., Cyr, N. S., & Irwin, M. R. (2011). Complementary use of tai chi chih augments escitalopram treatment of geriatric depression: A randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19(10), 839-50. Web.
Sun, J., & Buys, N. (2013). Health benefits of tai chi. Journal of Alternative Medicine Research, 5(2), 127-136. Web.